End loading and unloading bowling ball carrier



March 1967 J. H. STEVENS ET AL 3,308,911

END LOADING AND UNLOADING BOWLING BALL CARRIER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 24, 1966 INVIZNTOKS March 14, 1967 STEVENS ET AL 3,308,911

END LOADING AND UNLOADING BOWLING BALL CARRIER Filed Aug. 24, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 James H. .5749 vens Naomi J Ste vans INVENTORS aw I,,,.,.',. My Atlnrneys March 14, 1967 J. H. STEVENS ET AL END LOADING AND UNLOADING BOWLING BALL CARRIER Filed Aug. 24, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 James H. Stevens Naom/ J. Sfevens INVENTOKS A Home March 14, 1967 J. H. STEVENS ET AL 3,308,911

END LOADING AND UNLOADING BOWLING BALL CARRIER Filed Aug. 24, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 James h. .Sfevens 47 Naomi J Stevens INVENTORS United States Patent M 3,308,911 END LOADKNG AND UNLOADING BOWLING BALL CARRIER James H. Stevens and Naomi J. Stevens, both of Russell,

Ky., assignors to Dumpy Company, Inc., a corporation of Kentucky Filed Aug. 24, 1966, Ser. No. 579,475 Claims. (Cl. 190-51) This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application for patent identified as Ser. No. 405,183, filed Oct. 20, 1964, and now abandoned.

The herein disclosed invention relates, generically speaking, to a bag-type carrier for a bowling ball, shoes and accessories, and has to do, more particularly, with an adaptation which is functionally designed and structurally adapted to (1) load and (2) unload the ball in a practical and convenient manner, that is, without having to bodily lift and handle the ball by hand during the loading and unloading steps.

Bowling ball bags and carriers are of many and varied types and forms, some rigid and others flexible. They differ in size, shape and materials, but are usually substantially rectangular, and embody separate compart ments for the ball and shoes, as shown for example in Patent 2,580,958. Ordinarily, however, the heavy unwieldy ball, which is often diflicult and troublesome to handle, has to be inconveniently lifted by hand when it 'is inserted or loaded in the bag and also when it is unloaded for use.

A significant objective in the instant matter is to provide a bag or carrier which constitutes an innovation in that it will enable the user to better cope with and solve the over-all ball carrying and handling problem. This improved result can be and is effectually achieved with a handle-equipped cylindrical bag or case, the rear end or compartment of which is designed to adeptly accommodate the owners shoes and the companion front compartment of which functions is to protectively stow and carry the bowling ball.

The main body component comprises a horizontally elongated cylindrical case defining a conformable compartment in which the ball fits with requisite nicety, stays put, and is accordingly well protected. Suitable rests (such as feet or ribs) are properly paired and secured in coplanar relation to the curvate or semi-circular bottom portion and are interrelated and aptly oriented so that the case is self-standing when set in a ball unloading or loading position on the floor or, alternatively, atop a conporting compartment.

The function of the end loading and unloading feature is significantly enhanced (in one embodiment of the invention) by using a novel pull-out and plug-in circular lid type cover; that is, a cover which has a plug-like component which can be plugged in, latched and fastened in place. Then, too, a desired result is achieved by providing the lid or cover with (1) a rigid vertically elongated hand-grip for the left hand and (2) a coordinating and balanced hand-grip for the right hand, the latter being fixed atop the case or cylinder in a plane at right angles to the vertical hand-grip. It follows that the case can be set on a relatively stationary support surface, held down with the right hand, the lid unlatched and opened with the left hand, the case lifted and tilted forwardly 3,398,911 Patented Mar. 14, 1967 whereby the ball can be rolled out and dumped gently on the ball return track, floor, or other surface.

The above form or embodiment also features an internal divider (panel-like or strip member) fixed at the juncture of the forward and rearward compartments and providing a ball abutment or limit stop and, in addition, serving as a divider separating the pouch-like shoe compartment into individual shoe pockets.

In the other form or embodiment of the invention the above named divider is dispensed with and opposed side wall portions of the semi-circular bottom half-portion are provided (just inwardly of the openable and closable left hand end) with a pair of diametrically opposite inwardly projecting suitably sized and shaped embossments which constitute and provide inwardly projecting teat-like ball engaging stops or dentents. In addition, the central or median part of the concave bottoming wall is indented and formed with an upstanding suitably elongated riblike embossment providing a third step or detent. These several detents are oriented in circumferentially spaced relationship and, as practice has shown, they coordinate in properly nesting and lodging the bowling ball in its intended stay-put carrying position, that is, after the hinged cover is closed and latched in place.

It should be noted that, generically construed, both embodiments of the invention are characterized by a hollow cylindrical shell or body portion which is open at forward and rearward ends and that openable and closable covers or lids are provided at the respective ends. Also, the cylindrical body portion has integral coplanar rests (paired feet parallel ribs or the like) on its underneath side and an elongated rigid hand-grip atop its diametrically opposite upper half portion. It follows that the case or carrier will stay put when desired and can be held down firmly on a support surface with the aid of the bottoming rests and top hand-grip. Then, too, both top and front-end handles or hand-grips come into play simultaneously and greatly assist the user in handling and opening and closing the latched lid or cover at the front ball loading and unloading end. Moreover, individual selectively usable front and rear cover means is available for convenient use at the respectively distinct ball and shoe accommodating ends of the case.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a bag-type end loading and unloading bowling ball carrier constructed in accordance with the invention with the ball (not shown) but encased for carrying.

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the carrier shown in FIG. 1 observing the same in a direction from right to left.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view'primarily in section but with parts in elevation, taken on the plane of the vertical section line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view at right angles taken on the plane of the section line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary detail section taken on the plane of the section line 55 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a view in perspective with a wall portion broken away, with the lid-type cover omitted and illustratin-g approximately how one goes about scooping up and loading the ball for storage and carrying.

FIG. 7 is a view in perspective (comparable with FIG. 1) of a modified form or embodiment of the unique endloading-andmnloading bag or carrier with the cover or lid closed and latched in place.

FIG. 8 is a view, also in perspective, of the same but with both covers open and the bag empty.

line -10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view in section and elevation takenon the line'11-11 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an end elevation (on a small scale) looking at FIG; 7 for example, from right to left.-

By way of introduction to the description of the details it is to be pointed out that the invention (both forms) is of a suitable compact and convenient size and is made from appropriate lightweightrnaterial, preferably a suitable grade of colorful commercial plastics which lends itself to molding and rigidity in the manner shown.

The device may be described as a bag, case or carrier for storing and transporting a bowling ball and shoes or, as

herein set forth, a front loading and unloading bowl-,

in-g ball carrier. The main componentor body portion (see FIGS. 1 to 6 inclusive) is preferably, though not necessarily, of horizontal elongated cylindrical form. This cylindrical body or component is denoted by the numeral 8 and defines the main storage, protecting, and carrying compartment 10 (FIG. 3) for the insertable and removable bowling ball 12. The semi-circular bottom half is denoted at 14 and the diametrically opposite semi-circular top half at 16. This top portion is exteriorly provided with a horizontally elongated tubular handle or handgrip 18 coextensive in length with the cylindrical body 8 and rigidly mounted at the precise longitudinal median area of the top half 16 for'etfective balance, carrying, and handling. The. bottom half portion v14 is provided with stabilizing rests, for example, oppositely paired fore and aft supportinglegs or feet, the forward ones denoted at 20 and the rearward ones at 22. These feet are spaced apart a requisite distance for good balance when the device is set on a floor, ball return track, or other relatively stationary support surface as illustrated, for example, in FIGURE 6. It will be noted that the bottoms of the feet are in a common plane (FIG. 4) and are accordingly substantially coplanar or flush with the intervening bottom portion. Thus oriented and coordinating, these feet 20 and 22, transform thecarrier into a self-supporting stand.

The circular end or mouthportion 24, when uncovered, facilitates unloading by gently dumping the ball of the floor, ball return track or other support surface, and, a1- ternatively, scooping up and loading the ball (FIG. 6) in a self-evident manner. The diametrically opposite longitudinal side portions 26 are porvided with slots 28 (FIG.

6) and cooperating outstanding protuberances 30 which constitute keepers and which serve in a manner to be de-.

scribed. The rearward open endof the body of the body portion-is fashioned into an annexed part which is herein described as a concave-convex extension 32. r The side or vertical margin-a1 edges 34 of the extension are suitably mitered' to accommodate matching edge 'portions on the end walls 36 of an openable and closable rear end cover 38. The bottom marginal edge of the cover is hinged in place asat 40 (FIG. 2) The upper or top horizontal part 42 is provided with a suitable catch 44 (FIG. 3) which cooperates with an edge of an upstanding vertical wall portion 46 and fastens the cover in a normally closed position. On the interior of the over-all compartment there is a panel-like member 46 (FIG. 3) which is centrally positioned, anchored in place, and constitutes a vertically disposed separator or divider.

Since the divider islocated at the juncture of the main ball compartment 10 and the auxiliary or secondary shoe compartment 11, it will be evident that the shoe compartment is accordingly divided into individualpockets for the users bowling shoes 48.- The forward vertical edge 50 of this divider is provided with a substantially semi-circular notch or cut-out 52 Which provides a seat for a segmental portion 54 of the ball, that is, when the latter is stowed for carrying in the maincompartment or cham ber 10.

Attention is now directedto the circular. bodily ap-- plicable and removable front cover or lid 56. This lid is fashioned'so that the inward portion thereof provides.

a disk-likediaphragm 58 (FIG. 3) which is telescopingly plugged into the mouth or openend 24. The central portion of the diaphragm is fashioned into. a part-spherical depression or seat 60 to accommodate the conformingly,

fitted segmental portion 62 of the ball. The exterior side of this lid or cover is provided with a vertical suitably arching hand-grip 64-which spans the lid, issuitably spaced and has its end portions anchored so that thehand-grip 64 is in a plane with the hand-grip 18 but at right angles thereto. There is a rod-like latch 66 provided and this latch, asishown in FIGURE 5, comprises latch members 68 having resilient properties andzwith theirend portions adapted to pass through openings in the rim portion of the cover so as to project into the keeper seats 30.= This latch has a U-bend 7 0' at the centerwith which a link 72 is connected, said link inturn being pivotally connected to-a trip 74 hingedly mounted at 76and cooperable with the hand-grip 64. Normally,,the latch is closed and the lid is detachably fastened in place.-

In use, it will be obvious thatthe auxiliary shoe compartment 11 while incommunication with the main ball compartment 10 is somewhat,isolated therefrom by reason of the fact thatthe divider or separator 46 defines separate pockets for the individual shoes 48. The space .of the pocket is available by simply opening and closing the catch equippe'd cover 38; Access-is had to the main ball compartment 10 by way of the ball discharging and load ing end or exit 24.: Normally, this end or :mouth 24. is closed by the readily applicable and removably telescoping plug-type cover or closure 56. The manner inwhich the latch means servesto retainthe lid or cover is clearly shown in FIG. 5; It will be evident that by catching hold of the hand-grip 64-and exerting a slight pull on the pivoted trip 74, the latter operatesthe link 72 whichin turn retractsthe latches and unfastens the lid. ,A feature to be noted isthe fact that the cylindrical shapeofthe body portion holds the ball with requisite snug-fitting nicety. In addition, the-notchv 52' in the divider 46 and the depression 60 both perform as forward and rearward seats for,

64, release the latch and pull outthe plug portion 58. of i the lid. With the exit 24 then open the device can be lifted up and slightly tiltedand theball. rolled out and dumped on the floor or, if preferred, on the ball return rack (not shown) in the bowling alley. The orientation of the two hand-grips, one, 18, j on the body 8 and the other, 64, on the attachable and detachable lid 56* constitutes a highly novel aspect of the concept, as can be appreciated. Then, too, theball 12 can be scooped'up and again loaded in the compartment 10, in the manner illustrated in FIG'. 6.

As will be evident from the description thus far. given and also from the following description of a second embodiment (FIGS. 7-12) the over-allcarrier is compact,

light in weight and when at rest will notcapsize. The top carrying handle is. amply long and such and so located that the loaded bag is. balanced and easy to handle and carry. By simply tilting the carrier withthe right hand,

-theball can be' dumped out and onto the floor orthe ball return rack as the case may be. To load the ball again it is only necessary to shove the ball in the manner shown in FIG. 6.

With reference now to the embodiment of theinvention illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 12 it will be seen that the hollow generally cylindrical molded plastic shell or body component is denoted generally by the numeral 13, the same being annular and open as at 15 (FIG. 9) the left hand end, The opposite or right hand end portion is enlarged to assume a so-called box-like shape as denoted generally at 17, this end portion being open as at 19, having a com cavo-convex dished end 21, generally fiat parallel side portions 23 and an upwardly sloping inclined forward wall portion 25 which is at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body component 13. Returning to the body component it will be noted that it has a generally semi-circular lower half portion 27 and a semicircular upper half portion 31 atop which the elongated horizontal handle or hand-grip 33 is perched. In fact one end portion 35 is joined with a median part of the oblique angled wall 25 and the outer forward lateral end portion 37 is connected with the open forward end, that is the ball loading and unloading end of the body component. This body component including the box-like end portion 17 provides a compartment, the forward half portion of which is intended to house and contain the bowling ball shown in phantom lines at 39 in FIG. 9. The concave longitudinal bottom part is provided to the left and right of its center with a pair of elongated spaced parallel indentations 41 which define depending surface rests or ribs as at 43. These ribs serve in place of the aforementioned feet and serve to support the carrier or bag in a self-standing position as illustrated for example in FIG. 12. Just above the ribs and on diametrically opposite sides dimple-like indentations 45 are provided and these in turn define inwardly projecting teat-like projections 47 which constitute detents or limit stops and assist in en gaging diametrically opposite sides of a lower segment of the ball when the ball is in place, that is, lodged for storage in the compartment area 49. It will be further noted in this connection that an additional indentation at right angles to the forward end portions of the ribs 43 serves to define a cross-rib 51 which constitutes and provides the third detent Thus, the two teat-like detents or projections 47 cooperate with the rib 51 thus providing a threepoint contact with the ball 39 so as to hold the ball in its stored position. Incidentally, .the diametrically opposite outstanding raised portions 53 are simply flat-faced surfaces which may carry a trade mark or the name of the manufacturer (not shown).

That part to the right of the ball compartment space 49 and which is denoted at 55 provides an auxiliary receiver or compartment for the shoes or other accessories (not shown). The entrance opening to this compartment is at 19 as is evident in FIG. 9.

With further reference to the open end compartment 55 it will be seen that the suitable cap-like cover is provided as at 57 and the marginal left-hand portion of this cover is provided with an attached metal reinforcing band or frame 59 of general rectangular shape which abuts a cooperating frame 61 molded on and providing a part of the intake opening 19. Coacting faces of the frames are provided with tongue and groove means which interlock in providing a satisfactory weather seal. Also, as at 63 a suitable catch or fastener means is provided and is not necessarily detailed. Then, too, a name plate is provided as at 65, these being incidental structural details and requiring no specific description, it is believed.

With reference now to the cover or closure means for the ball unloading and loading end 15 it will be evident that the cover here is of disk-like shape and is also in the form of a cap, the same being denoted generally by the numeral 67. The marginal edge of the opening 15 is provided with a ring-like metal frame 69 cooperating with a companion frame 71 on the marginal edge of the cap-like cover 67. Here again the frames are provided with tongue and groove interlocking means as denoted generally at 73 (FIG. 9) to provide a satisfactory seal.

An appropriate hinge 75 is provided and series to hingedly join the cover to the upper end portion 15 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. The central portion of the cover is provided with an integral suitably shaped vertical handle or hand-grip 77 and it will be noticed that these two hand-grips are lined up with each and at right angles to one another as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 for the purposes described. Finally, suitable catches or fasteners which are generally denoted at 79 are provided on diametrically opposite sides and are carried by the body and are separably connectable with intended portions of the cap-like cover to hold the same in a closed position when it is swung down from the open position shown in FIG. 8 to the closed position shown in the other views.

It will be evident by comparing the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 with that shown in FIGS. 7 to 12 that there are corresponding part-for-part and featurefor-feature components and that the aforementioned limit stop separator or partition 46 is permitted and that the detents 47 and 51 serve to lodge the ball 39 in the stored position illustrated in FIG. 9. It will also be evident that the openable and closable ball end of the bag or carrier serves in unloading or dumping the ball as well as in loading and again positioning the ball for storage.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An end loading and unloading hand-type carrier for a bowling ball, shoes and accessories comprising: a ball encasing bag characterized by an elongated rigid but hollow body open an opposite ends and essentially cylindrical in transverse cross-section and of a length greater than the diameter of the ball and accordingly defining and providing a compartment, the ball enclosing part of said compartment having an internal diametral dimension substantially equal to he diameter of said ball and functioning to allow the ball to be (A) lined up with one open end and rollably shoved into and lodged for storage in said compartment and, alternatively, to be (B) rolled outwardly in an opposite direction and discharged and dumped from the compartment by way of said one open end, limit stop means embodied within the encompassing confines of said compartment and situated inwardly from the respective open ends and serving to check the inward movement of said ball when it is lacing loaded for storage in said compartment, a readily openable and closable rigid cover for said one open end, that portion of said body opposite said one open end being enlarged and transforming the adjacent end of the compartment into a pouchlike receiver for a pair of bowling shoes or the like, said receiver having an entrance opening and a rigid hingedly mounted cover therefor, said first named cover being provided exteriorly with a hand-grip, and the top surface of said body being provided exteriorly with a hand-grip complement'al to said first named hand-grip.

2. The ball carrier according to claim 1, and wherein said first named hand-grip is rigid, is secured to the central exterior of said first named cover and is vertically elongated, said second named hand-grip being horizontally elongated, rigidly attached and disposed in a plane at right angles to the plane of said first-named grip and aligned and coordinated with said first named hand-grip, whereby said hand-grips can be simultaneously gripped with left and right hands, respectively, and in a manner to (l) uncover and open said compartment (2) lift and tilt said bag and (3) gently dump the encased ball on a conventional-type ball return track or the floor of the alley, as the case may be.

3. The carrier defined in claim 2, and wherein the bottom ofsaid bag is provided with oppositely paired support surface engaging members which when positioned on said surface serve to temporarily rest and station the bag with and project into the ball holding space of said compart-' ment, and the other one of which is carried by a median,

interior surface portion of the bottom wall, whereby to thus provide ball-surface-engaging detents capable of lodging and temporarily checking and limiting the ball against movement inwardly beyond a predetermined position but permitting it to roll freely outwardly.

5. The-carrier defined in and according to claim 4, and whereinsaid two detents comprise indented button-like projections arranged ina common horizontal plane, and wherein said one embossment comprises an indented elongated upstanding rib, said rib occupying a position just inwardly of the adjacent open end and said button-like projections being located inwardly of and in a vertical plane above said rib.

6. The carrier defined in and according to claim 3, and wherein said surface engaging members comprise a pair of elongated spaced parallel depending ribs which are substantially commensurate in length with the length of said body.

7. For use by a bowler,'a rigid horizontally elongated bag cylindrical in cross-section and defining a bowling ball storage and carrying compartment, the front end of said comparment being open, the rear end opening into and being commnnicatively joined with an integrally annexed pouch-like ,addenda providing an auxiliary compartment for shoes, said auxiliary compartment being provided with a hingedly mounted cover, a centralized vertically mounted panel-like divider fixed in said bag at the juncture of said compartments and separating component portions of the auxiliary compartment into individual shoe 8' pockets, the forward vertical edge of said divider provid ing a limit stop for an inward surface of the bowling ball, and-a lid-type cover for the open front end of said ball compartment having a plug-like attaching and retaining member telescopingly plugged into said open front end.

8. The structure defined in claim 7, and wherein said member embodies-a disk-like diaphragm having an interior axial concave depression providing a conformable seat for a segmental surface portion of said ball, the forward edge of said panel-like divider having a segmental notch defining a conformable second seat for a confronting segmental surface portion of said "ball.

9. The structure according to claim 8, and wherein said, lid-type cover is provided on its exterior surface with a vertically elongated rigidly attached hand-grip; and a similar but horizontally elongated hand-grip rigidly mounted atop the median lengthwise surface of said cylindrical bag at right angles to and in alignment with said first named head-grip, whereby said hand-grips can be simultaneously gripped with left and right hands, respectively, and in a manner to (1) open said compartment, (2) lift and tilt the bag, and (3) gently dump the ball on a ball return rack or the floor of the alley, as the case may be.

10. The carrier defined in claim 9, and wherein the bottom of said bag is provided with fore and aft oppositely paired surface engaging legs which when positioned on the surface serve to temporarily station the bag with said bottom proximal to and approximately level with the surface, whereby the user can (1) align the ballwith the ball compartment (2) roll it into the ball compartment for storage and (3) attachthe cover and close said compartment.

References Citedby the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,128,854 4/1964 Specht 190-5lX 3,136,398- 6/1964 P1att 190 -51 JOSEPH IR. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.-

D. F. NORTON, Assistanf Examiner. 

1. AN END LOADING AND UNLOADING HAND-TYPE CARRIER FOR A BOWLING BALL, SHOES AND ACCESSORIES COMPRISING: A BALL ENCASING BAG CHARACTERIZED BY AN ELONGATED RIGID BUT HOLLOW BODY OPEN AN OPPOSITE ENDS AND ESSENTIALLY CYLINDRICAL IN TRANSVERSE CROSS-SECTION AND OF A LENGTH GREATER THAN THE DIAMETER OF THE BALL AND ACCORDINGLY DEFINING AND PROVIDING A COMPARTMENT, THE BALL ENCLOSING PART OF SAID COMPARTMENT HAVING AN INTERNAL DIAMETRAL DIMENSION SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO HE DIAMETER OF SAID BALL AND FUNCTIONING TO ALLOW THE BALL TO BE (A) LINED UP WITH ONE OPEN END AND ROLLABLY SHOVED INTO AND LODGED FOR STORAGE IN SAID COMPARTMENT AND, ALTERNATIVELY, TO BE (B) ROLLED OUTWARDLY IN AN OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND DISCHARGED AND DUMPED FROM THE COMPARTMENT BY WAY OF SAID ONE OPEN END, LIMIT STOP MEANS EMBODIED WITHIN THE ENCOMPASSING CONFINES OF SAID COMPARTMENT AND SITUATED INWARDLY FROM THE RESPECTIVE OPEN ENDS AND SERVING TO CHECK THE INWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID BALL WHEN IT IS BEING LOADED FOR STORAGE IN SAID COMPARTMENT, A READILY OPENABLE AND CLOSABLE RIGID COVER FOR SAID ONE OPEN END, THAT PORTION OF SAID BODY OPPOSITE SAID ONE OPEN END BEING ENLARGED AND TRANSFORMING THE ADJACENT END OF THE COMPARTMENT INTO A POUCHLIKE RECEIVER FOR A PAIR OF BOWLING SHOES OR THE LIKE, SAID RECEIVER HAVING AN ENTRANCE OPENING AND A RIGID HINGEDLY MOUNTED COVER THEREFOR, SAID FIRST NAMED COVER BEING PROVIDED EXTERIORLY WITH A HAND-GRIP, AND THE TOP SURFACE OF SAID BODY BEING PROVIDED EXTERIORLY WITH A HAND-GRIP COMPLEMENTAL TO SAID FIRST NAMED HAND-GRIP. 